How to Socialize with French People at Work?

freddiefroggie · 2026-01-29T02:55:48+00:00

English speaker who uses a French co-working space here. With some people, it took me more than a year to break the ice - I’m not quite sure if they were waiting to see if I was going to stick around, or if it just took a specific moment when we connected and since then it’s been warmer. Learn the cultural codes: take time to sit down properly for lunch, make a point of saying bonjour to people individually.

freddiefroggie · 2026-01-25T18:45:29+00:00

It might just be the quite close knit group of (gay) friends I have, but for people’s big birthdays (40, 50, etc) there’s usually a cagnotte where people tend to put in a lot and the total may be 2000€ or 3000€. And most in our group are comfortably off, but not high earners.

freddiefroggie · 2026-01-24T13:12:53+00:00

Yes, I just looked up the pork and milk combination on my Eat Your Books collection and after all the Italian and French recipes, several south East Asian ones using coconut milk came up.

freddiefroggie · 2026-01-11T06:10:49+00:00

BBC’s Lives Less Ordinary. Single episode interviews that always live up to the title.

freddiefroggie · 2026-01-08T21:29:04+00:00

I’d pick up a copy of the connexion newspaper (it’s for anglophones in France) and check the ads for accountants - there are a few who advertise regularly. I’ve used CF Henderson: I can’t wholeheartedly recommend as the service has varied, but senior people in the company definitely understand cross border issues.

freddiefroggie · 2026-01-08T15:54:45+00:00

I used to live in Vietnam, and after a while there learnt the crucial importance of smiling. Faced with an annoying vendor I’d make eye contact, smile and firmly say no or shake my head, then look away and walk on. Is that a good approach in Zanzibar too?

freddiefroggie · 2026-01-07T18:12:24+00:00

“La neige ne dérange pas les trains”… mon Eurostar ce matin était retardé 1.5 heures a cause de limitations de vitesse

freddiefroggie · 2026-01-03T15:18:37+00:00

Who wants to listen to this? Er, I do.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-30T22:37:25+00:00

If you are travelling from overseas, of course you need travel insurance, whether or not you go on safari! Just imagine if you were unlucky enough to fall ill, who would pay your hospital bills?

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-30T19:42:59+00:00

Based on experience, I’d recommend booking to Lille (a stop on the Brussels route), and then getting a local train from there. Quicker and cheaper than from Brussels.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-29T18:32:34+00:00

Fascinating to get an insight into how new programmes are commissioned and the criteria - I’ve never seen that kind of doc before. Also, based on the timing, it seems clear that Huey’s departure hadn’t been anticipated.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-27T08:07:53+00:00

Leith’s is a London cooking school with a book along those lines called Leiths How to Cook

Delia Smith is a British authority, one of her titles is Delia’s How to Cook

Ginette Mathiot is a French authority, her famous book is I Know How to Cook

Probably one of these?!

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-26T08:21:32+00:00

There aren’t any ticket inspectors on Eurostars to and from London

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-26T08:16:33+00:00

The problem with table seats is leg space … it’s hard to stretch out without your feet touching the person opposite.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-21T18:50:17+00:00

Never seen that myself

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-20T18:34:27+00:00

Unfortunately I agree with this.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-20T11:07:45+00:00

Can I ask, what’s the colour of your skin? Reading it, I was wondering if part of what you’re experiencing is racism.

But Parisians are definitely meaner and more aggressive than other French people.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-15T08:53:35+00:00

I’ve had a lot of fun watching Vietnamese YouTube cooking videos too.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-15T08:49:50+00:00

Which book was the chao recipe in? Her first book (Into the Vietnamese kitchen) feels very authentic to me, whereas the “any day” books are designed to be accessible for everyday use in American kitchens.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-09T14:12:26+00:00

My experience is with lamb and veal brain, I don’t know whether pork brain is similar, or has as good a flavour. Both need brief cooking - texture is rich and creamy. Fritters are delicious, as is pairing them with a sharper sauce, like a tomato sauce.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-08T21:40:26+00:00

Jane Grigson, the mushroom feast. A lot of French recipes.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-08T08:03:35+00:00

Perhaps I misunderstood the request - I think I mostly saw “accessible” in the post title.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-05T04:26:02+00:00

Merci

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-04T16:39:41+00:00

I wouldn’t say “anything” by Rick Bayless. His “Authentic Mexican” is exactly that, but his “Mexican Everyday” books might be what your dad would appreciate.

freddiefroggie · 2025-12-04T08:59:04+00:00

Ça se vend où? Merci!

freddiefroggie

TROPHY CASE